[doc1019]

I know that Supreme Court appointments are lifetime appointments and short of impeachment, justices can’t be removed. Is the office of Chief Justice under the same restrictions … can he or she be demoted?

[Clintonfatigued]

Is the office of Chief Justice under the same restrictions … can he or she be demoted?

The Chief Justice cannot be demoted, just impeached. The last Chief Justice, William Rehnquest, had been Associate Justice for 14 years before being promoted to Chief Justice, but still had to go through confirmation hearings. However, the Chief Justice position is more ceremonial than anything else.